Scientists identify remains of 9/11 victim as securities analyst

A 26-year-old securities analyst who died on 9/11 was on Wednesday positively identified for the first time using a fragment of his bone.

Experts had tried to identify Scott Michael Johnson from a piece of his bone six times since the attacks nearly 17 years ago, but only now were they able to extract enough DNA to produce a positive match.

Johnson, who worked for the investment bank Keefe, Bruyette and Woods, is the 1,642nd person to be identified – although the New York City medical examiner’s office are still trying match up 1,100 victims with their remains.

Scott Michael Johnson, (left) who worked on the 89th floor of the South Tower, (right, before being hit by the second plane) is the first victim to be identified since August 2017

‘In 2001, we made a commitment to the families of victims that we would do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to identify their loved ones,’ said Chief Medical Examiner Dr Barbara Sampson.

‘This identification is the result of the tireless dedication of our staff to this ongoing mission.’

Experts are working their way through 22,000 human remains, which are particularly difficult to match up with DNA samples provided by the victims’ relatives due to their exposure to heat, fire and jet fuel.

Johnson’s father, Thomas, sits on the board of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

‘He was one of the kindest people that anyone around him had ever known,’ he told the New York Times. ‘The pain of losing someone like that was tremendous.’

Experts are working their way through 22,000 human remains, which are particularly difficult to match up with DNA samples provided by the victims’ relatives due to their exposure to heat, fire and jet fuel

Johnson, who worked on the 89th floor of the South Tower, is the first victim to be identified since August 2017. He was also survived by his mother and two siblings.

Nearly 3,000 people died on 9/11 in New York, at the Pentagon, and around Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

So far the medical examiner’s office has matched 60 percent of the victims with their remains using advanced DNA testing, bringing closure to their families.

Patricia is the founder and editor of Little Bytes News, a former elementary teacher, radio talk show host, political activist and political blogger. In 2012, Patricia was nominated one of “Circle of Moms” top 25 political bloggers.

Littlebytesnews

Patricia is the founder and editor of Little Bytes News, a former elementary teacher, radio talk show host, political activist and political blogger. In 2012, Patricia was nominated one of “Circle of Moms” top 25 political bloggers.